Teaching unions NUT and NASUWT announce industrial action

Two teaching unions representing nine out of ten teachers in England and Wales have announced industrial action short of a strike later this month in the latest stage of their dispute with the government over pay, job security, pensions and workloads.

Teachers have warned strike action could follow in October (Picture: PA)

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and NASUWT said its members would take coordinated action from September 26 but would minimise disruption for pupil and parents.

Teachers will therefore boycott meetings and refuse to fill in forms or cover for absent members of staff to highlight government policies they say are undermining their ability to work effectively.

‘The secretary of state for education [ Michael Gove ] was put on notice in May that he could address teachers’ concerns and avoid the possibility of further industrial action,’ Chris Keates , general secretary of NASUWT, said.

‘He has recklessly disregarded this warning. At every turn, the secretary of state shows contempt for the teaching workforce.

‘What happens to teachers directly affects the quality of education for children and young people. Teachers and their pupils deserve better.’

Her counterpart in the NUT, Christine Blower, warned teachers’ morale was ‘dangerously low’.

‘Over-the-top accountability measures are exhausting teachers and the idea that they can work to 68 is absurd,’ she said.

‘For the sake of teachers and children’s education, these constant attacks from government need to stop.’